Fire-alarm box.



' PATENTED JULY 25, 1905.

- P.J.CORBETT.

FIRE ALARM BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1904. RENEWED MAY 31. 1905.

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No. 795,802. \PATENTED JULY 25, 1905. P. J. CORBETT.

FIRE ALARM BOX.

APPLICATION FILED F2120, 1904. nnmwnn MAY a1. 1905.

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PATRICK J. OORBETT, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ALARM BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Icatented July 25, 1905.

Application filed February 20, 1904. Renewed May 31, 1905. Serial No. 263,154.

a door for a fire-alarm box in which the hand of the person sending the alarm will be held in the box until liberated by the authorities having a key to the box. I accomplish this object by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts removed. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of my invention.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several'views.

Within the plate A, forming the front of the door, I arrange an opening B, through which a person may pass his hand for the purpose of turning a handle- O within the box. In the rear of and adjacent to the plate A,I arrange two clampingplates G G, each of which is provided with tongues g g g g, respectively, said tongues inserted within the grooves F F in the cleats E E, respectively, and each of said plates G G arranged to have a reciprocating motion adjacent to and in the rear of plate A. Along the surface of the cleats E E and near each end of said cleats I arrange a serrated surface D D, in contact with which the spring-actuated pawl H H, secured to the plates G G, respectively, engage and prevent the separation of the plates G Gr by a person whose hand is held between said plates. I arrange'the springs J J so placed that when the plates Gr Gr are opened the springs J J, respectively, will be placed un der tension, and the plates G G are held separate from each other and said springs held under tension by means of the hooks K K, respectively, attached to the plates G G, respectively, engaging with the pins L L. As thus arranged, when the plates G G are separated from each other, the one raised and the other lowered, with the hooks K K engaging with their respective pins L L, a hand may be inserted through the opening B in plate A. i

In the rear of the box within easy reach of the hand there is a handle or knob C, which is attached to the spider M, the arms of the spider M being connected to the rods N N O 0, respectively, said rods being connected with the cleats E E. As thus arranged, when the handle C is turned the cleats E E, and therefore the plate A and plates G G, are moved and the hooks K K are released from their respective pins, which will liberate the.

springs J J and cause the plates G G to approach each other and close over the wrist of the hand which operated the handle. the reciprocating plates approach each other and engage with the hand, it is impossible to cause said reciprocating plates to open, because of the pawls H engaging the serrations in the cleats E E, and the hand is thus held securely in position until a person having a key to the box opens it and lifts the pawls H H, allowing the plates G G to be separated and the hand to be liberated. It is understood, but not shown, that in the turning of the handle C there is also liberated a lever. which sends in an alarm.

This invention may be used in connection with many kinds of apparatus other than that connected with fire-alarm, since it is apparent that this may be employed for the purpose of preventing a person from opening a door or tampering with any predetermined lock or apparatus by placing the door containing my invention in front of the apparatus and making it necessary for the operator to place his hand through the opening in my door.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a plate having an opening adapted to permit of the passage of a hand, reciprocating plates adjacent to said first-mentioned plate; means for causing said reciprocating plates to be held separate from each other under the tension of a spring;

means for liberating said spring consisting of a handle, a spider; rods connecting the arms of said spider with said plates, substantially as described.

2. The combination of aplate provided with an opening adapted for the passage of a hand of two reciprocating plates arranged adjacent to and in the rear of said first mentioned plate; a hook attached to each of said reciprocating plates; pins with which said hooks engage, respectively; springs adapted to engage with said reciprocating plates, respec tively, and held under tension by said hooks when they are in engagement with said 'pins; means for breaking connection between said When hooks and said pins, thereby liberating said springs and causing said plates to approach each other, all substantially as described.

3. The combination ofa plate provided with an opening adapted for the passage of a hand of two reciprocating plates arranged adjacent to and in the rear of said first-mentioned plate; a hook attached to each of said reciprocating plates; pins with which said hooks engage, respectively; springs adapted to engage with said reciprocating plates, respectively, and held under tension by said hooks when they are in engagement with said pins; means for breaking connection between said hooks and said pins, thereby liberating said springs and causing said plates to approach each other; spring-actuated pawls connecting with each of said reciprocating plates; serrated surfaces connected with said first-mentioned plates; said pawls and serrations pre venting said reciprocating plates from being separated from each other by the hand held in said opening, substantially as described.

Signed at Albany, New York, this 16th day of February, 1904.

PATRICK J. CORBETT.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK W. CAMERON, DUDLEY B. WADE. 

